Maternal age has more pronounced effect on breast milk retinol and β-carotene content than maternal dietary pattern

Abstract Objective The effects of AMA and maternal dietary habits during pregnancy and lactation on breast milk composition have not been investigated in south-eastern Europe and in the Balkans. This study was designed to compare the content of retinol and β-carotene in colostrum and mature milk samples obtained from different MA groups and to assess its potential relationship with maternal and demographic characteristics, dietary patterns and lifestyle habits during pregnancy and lactation. Methods Forty three nursing mothers were divided in two groups according to MA: A (aged ≥35, n =22) and B (aged n =21). Total lipids concentrations were determined by gravimetric method, while retinol and β-carotene contents were assessed by HPLC method. Dietary patterns during pregnancy and lactation were assessed using food frequency questionnaires and PCA statistical analysis was performed. Results Except for retinol levels in mature milk, significantly higher levels of total fats, retinol and β-carotene were found in older group. Results of PCA analysis showed that MA was strongly correlated with fat content, retinol and β-carotene levels in colostrum samples, while in mature milk samples MA was highly correlated with fat content and moderately with β-carotene. In terms of dietary patterns, retinol contents in milk samples from both groups were weakly to moderately correlated with consumption frequency of eggs, meat, milk and dairy products, whereas β-carotene contents were weakly to strongly associated with consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables. Conclusions PCA analysis used in our study clearly confirmed that analyzed four variables (MA, total lipids, retinol and β-carotene levels) might serve as a good criterion for delimitation of breast milk samples collected in different stage of lactation from mothers of different ages. Our findings could represent key basis for further investigations.